Book 1: Turning the Corner

Eleni

I wander the halls, searching for Dante to ask if he’ll take me to the restaurant, and nearly run into another tall, suited man. I stumble back a step, and he catches me before I fall.

“Did I put on my invisible suit today?” he asks as he sets me back on my feet.

“What?” He’s handsome, in a square way, and he has piercing blue eyes. I know him from somewhere.

“Dante always says I make a bad first impression.” He shoves his hands in his pockets. “I’m Tony Bellini, caporegime around here.”

The pieces snap into place. He surrounded Frank in the auto shop. But if he's a caporegime, then finding him is almost as good as finding Dante.

“Can you take me into the city?” I ask. “I need to see the restaurant.”

“Why?”

I take a deep breath. “I have a decision to make.”

Tony shrugs and leads me down a new hall.

***

I climb out of the black car Tony drove to the restaurant, a sedan so minutely different from